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By Jett Schwaier

ELXN25

Economic growth, crime, and homelessness are priorities for Medicine Hat councillor candidate Phaff

Oct 9, 2025 | 5:00 AM

Councillor candidate Cheryl Phaff is focusing on improving conditions with economic growth, and crime, and homelessness in Medicine Hat.

Economic growth is the number one priority in Phaff’s campaign because Medicine Hat’s population growth has been stagnant, according to Phaff.

“We were flat for more than 10 years, and we need to bring in some more businesses that can provide quality jobs for people and get Medicine Hat moving again.”

Phaff said Medicine Hat needs a balanced approach between homelessness and crime.

“We need to provide treatment options for those that have mental health addiction problems, but also make sure that we’re enforcing the laws and cracking down on break-and-enters and thefts and those sorts of things,” Phaff said.

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Another topic Phaff is prioritizing is to implement a tax freeze.

“I know there’s an affordability crisis right now with everyone [in Medicine Hat],” Phaff said.

“I think if we can stop raising everyone’s taxes, that’ll at least help their monthly budget that way.”

Phaff said Medicine Hat’s city council have just gone off the rails.

“The dysfunction we’ve seen the last few years, when the mayor and the city manager are making national news pursuing each other, and the province has to send in an inspector to assess governance issues among administration and council,” Phaff said.

“That’s why I thought it’s time that I threw my hat in the ring and try to make things better.”

Born and raised in the Medicine Hat area, Phaff attended the University of Calgary for her psych degree, then moved to China for her international master of business administration degree.

Phaff is a business owner in the city making portable offices and cabins to be shipped across Canada.

This is the first time Phaff has run for council in the city.

Visit our dedicated municipal election page for more information on the 2025 municipal election and other local candidate profiles published to date.